The Loy McCandless Marks Scholarship in Tropical Horticulture

The Loy McCandless Marks Scholarship in Tropical Horticulture

FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS AND ADVANCED UNDERGRADUATES

Purpose: To promote the study of tropical plants and their use in horticulture and landscape architecture.

History: The Loy McCandless Marks Scholarship Fund was established by the Elizabeth L. Marks Trust. Mrs. Marks was a Garden Club of Honolulu member from 1948 until the time of her death in 1996. Her trust provided $50,000 “for the establishment of a scholarship fund, the income from which shall be awarded to well-qualified science majors specializing in tropical horticulture or landscape architecture to afford them the opportunity for one or two years of serious study at outstanding botanical institutions abroad." In March of 2010, the name was changed from The Loy McCandless Marks Scholarship in Tropical Ornamental Horticulture to The Loy McCandless Marks Scholarship in Tropical Horticulture.

Provisions: Provides $5000 each even-numbered year to a well-qualified graduate student or advanced undergraduate student specializing in tropical horticulture, botany, or landscape architecture. This is a complementary award, intended to supplement a student's pursuit of a previously accepted program of study abroad.

Eligibility: Open to graduate or advanced undergraduate students. Applicants must be US citizens. This opportunity will be awarded upon verification that complete funding has been obtained for the study abroad. Travel must commence within 12 months of the award. Award amounts were increased from $2000 and changed to be awarded in even numbered years only in 2008. Award amount was increased to $5,000 in 2012.

To Apply: See application and information. Applications must be received at GCA headquarters in New York City by January 15 preceding the period of study. PLEASE NOTE: ONLY ONE GCA SCHOLARSHIP, FELLOWSHIP OR AWARD MAY BE APPLIED FOR ANNUALLY.

Selection: Applications will be reviewed by a selection panel of representatives from fields of tropical horticulture, botany, and landscape architecture and approved by the GCA Scholarship Committee.

Scholarship Opportunities Available

The GCA now offers 27 merit based scholarships, fellowships and awards in the areas of horticulture and its related disciplines, botany, including medicinal and tropical, native bird habitat, conservation and ecological restoration, desert studies, landscape architecture, urban forestry, garden history and design, coastal wetlands, and pollinator research.

In March of this year, 86 students and scholars were awarded over $300,000 to support a variety of academic endeavors ranging from summer environmental study and field work, to graduate level research. Their study will take place in institutions across the nation and some will do field work around the world.